Shaken by a chilling murder in its posh Tollygunge neighbourhood, Kolkata, where a woman in her 30s was brutally killed and dismembered after rejecting his romantic advances. The victim, a domestic worker separated from her husband, had been commuting daily to work with the accused, 35-year-old Atiur Rahman Laskar, a construction worker.
Discovery of the Crime
The case came to light on Friday (December 13) morning when locals in the Regent Park area discovered a severed head concealed in a polythene bag in a garbage vat behind a multi-storey building. Alarmed, they informed the police. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of the woman’s torso and lower body near a pond the following day.
Police investigations revealed the horrifying details of the crime. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Suburban) Bidisha Kalita, Laskar, brother-in-law of the victim confessed to the murder after being apprehended in his native village of Basuldanga, Diamond Harbour, in South 24 Parganas district.
Sequence of Events
“She started avoiding him a week back, and it added to his rage. She also blocked his phone number. On Thursday evening, after she finished work, he forced her to accompany him to an under-construction building, where he strangulated her. He then beheaded her, cut the body into three parts, and dumped them in different locations,” said DCP Kalita at a press conference.
Laskar’s confession revealed that the victim’s rejection enraged him to the point of committing the gruesome act. Despite being her brother-in-law, Laskar had allegedly been pursuing a romantic relationship with the victim, who had firmly spurned his advances.
Motive and Triggers
“The woman’s avoidance of Laskar and her blocking his phone added to his frustration, leading him to commit the crime,” the DCP explained. Police believe the woman’s efforts to distance herself, including severing communication with Laskar, were key triggers for his violent actions.
Evidence and Investigation
Following the discovery of the severed head, sniffer dogs were deployed, and CCTV footage from the area was reviewed. Initial examinations suggested the crime had been committed within 12 hours of the head’s discovery. Police recovered critical evidence from the garbage vat on Graham Road and used CCTV footage to piece together Laskar’s movements.
The trail of evidence led investigators to Diamond Harbour, where they arrested Laskar. His confession provided a detailed account of the murder. Authorities are now examining whether others might have been involved in aiding him.
Residents expressed disbelief at the brutality of the act, which took place in an otherwise peaceful and upscale area. Speaking to the media, one local remarked, “It’s terrifying to think such a heinous crime could happen here. We are deeply disturbed.”
Police Statement
At the press conference, DCP Kalita reiterated the commitment to a thorough investigation. “This is a heinous crime, and we are ensuring no stone is left unturned in our pursuit of justice. Investigations are ongoing to determine if any other individuals were complicit in the act.”
The accused remains in custody, and authorities have assured the public of legal action against him.
